Synonyms for common
- adjective
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Ordinary — simple, ordinary or vulgar
ordinary, familiar, frequent, usual, commonplace, standard, average, vulgar, customary, similar, normal, conventional, typical, everyday, simple, habitual, unexceptional, inferior, natural, run-of-the-mill, plain, low
2. Popular — found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual
popular, universal, prevalent, predominant, rife, ubiquitous, prevailing, current, epidemic, extensive, far-flung, pandemic
3. Mutual — mutual; shared by more than one
mutual, shared, united, communal, joint, collective, corporate, concerted
4. General — existing among virtually all people; universal
general, generic, ecumenical, catholic dated
Other
public, vernacular, coarse, plebeian, easy, worn-out, promiscuous, impure, polluted, profane
Definitions
- adj. 1
Mutual; shared by more than one.
Winning the championship is an aim common to the two competitors.
- adj. 2
Existing among virtually all people; universal.
common knowledge, common decency, common sense
- adj. 3
Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.
Sharks are common in these waters.
- adj. 4
Simple, ordinary or vulgar.
Related words
- Phrases
- common chicory common sense common salt common law common mullein common noun common house common rush
- Is a kind of
- repeated
Choose the right word
Universal applies to all without exception; general applies to all with possible or comparatively slight exceptions; common applies to very many without deciding whether they are even a majority.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- usual Jack isn't here. He may have missed his usual bus.
- familiar The familiar place had a new significance for her.
- ordinary Leonid is just an ordinary man without experience.
- frequent What are the most frequent words in this language?
- popular I bought several cassettes of the popular singers.
- universal The egg is a universal symbol of life and rebirth.
By length
- 3 letters
- low1
- 4 letters
- easy2, rife1
- 5 letters
- joint1, usual3, plain1
- 6 letters
- public2, united3, simple2, normal2, shared1, mutual3, vulgar2, coarse1, impure2
- 7 letters
- general3, current2, average3, similar3, natural3, popular3, typical3, generic3, profane2
- 8 letters
- standard2, familiar3, everyday3, catholic2, ordinary4, frequent2, inferior4, epidemic4, pandemic3, communal3, polluted3, habitual4, plebeian3
- 9 letters
- corporate3, universal4, extensive3, prevalent3, customary4, concerted3
- 10 letters
- collective3, prevailing3, ubiquitous4, vernacular4, ecumenical5
- 11 letters
- commonplace3, predominant4, promiscuous3
- 12 letters
- conventional4
- 13 letters
- unexceptional
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (easy2 = 2 syllables).